| |
Transportation
Driving in Virginia
To drive legally, one must have a U.S. driver's license or an international driver's license,
carry auto insurance, and the car must be registered in the state in which you live (Virginia,
Maryland, etc.).
The steps for obtaining the Virginia driver's license, learner's permit or photo ID card and your legal responsibilities behind the wheel are explained in Virginia Driver's Manual - Rules of the Road, available online at http://www.dmvnow.com
Go to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in the state in which you live
to take an exam and a driver's test to obtain a license.
Virginia: http://www.dmv.state.va.us/
Maryland: http://mva.state.md.us/
Pay attention to traffic rules (including traffic lights and speed limits), or else the police
might pull you over and write you a ticket. Watch out for traffic cameras, both for running
red lights and speeding that give out $50-$75 tickets, as well!
What is HOV?
On some highways in the Washington Metro area, HOV (High Occupancy Vehicle) lanes are enforced.
In order to use the HOV lanes, each vehicle must have at least two (if the sign says HOV-2)
or three (if the sign says HOV-3) persons in it. This is to encourage people to drive together
("carpool") to reduce traffic. For example, HOV is enforced on all lanes on Route 66 in the
morning rush hour when driving towards D.C. (eastbound), and in the afternoon when driving
from D.C. (westbound). Single drivers who violate the HOV rule may be pulled over and given
a very expensive ticket.
If you are pulled over (stopped) by the police . . .
Drive to the right side of the road. Stay in your car and wait for the police officer to come
to you. Roll down your window, but do not open your door to go outside. If it is dark, turn
on the light inside the car. The officer will ask for your driver's license and registration
of the car, so make sure to always carry those documents in your car.
Parking
You must have a parking sticker to park on campus. Buy one for each semester or for the entire
year at Parking Services, SUB II, ground floor. Off campus, you may park on the street, but pay
attention to signs that restrict when and where you can park.
http://www.gmu.edu/univserv/parking/index.html
Top of the page
Getting to GMU from Airport
Airports
 There are three airports in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area: Dulles International Airport, Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI), and Reagan National Airport.
Located about 20 miles west of Fairfax, Dulles is the closest airport to GMU. At the airport there are information desks and travelers' aid desks to assist with directions. The currency exchange desk is also open daily.
The easiest way to get from Dulles Airport to Fairfax is by taxi, the cost is approximately $35. There is also a shuttle bus service, called "the Washington Flyer Express Bus," which runs between the airport and the West Falls Church Metro station, and also to downtown Washington, D.C. From West Falls Church, take the Metro train (orange line) two stops to Vienna Metro station (make sure you get on the train that has Vienna signs on it). From Vienna, take the CUE bus to GMU. The total cost for bus and metro train is approximately $12. To travel directly to the Arlington campus, take the orange line metro to the Virginia Square station, which is a three-minute walk from the campus.
BWI is located in Maryland, approximately 55 miles from Fairfax. There are information desks, travelers' aid desks, and currency exchange at the airport; all are open daily. From BWI, take a bus or train to Washington, D.C., and then connect to Fairfax with a taxi or Metro train.
Alternative 1
The bus service "Super Shuttle" operates 24 hours a day between BWI and 1517 K Street, in North-West Washington, D.C. (approximately $50). From K Street, catch the orange line Metro train from McPherson Square or Farragut West station to Vienna Metro station (approximately $5). Continue on the CUE bus to GMU.
Alternative 2
Amtrak and MARC provide train transportation from BWI to Union Station in Washington, D.C. Amtrak operates 7 days a week, and the cost is approximately $14. MARC commuter trains run Monday through Friday and the cost is approximately $5. From Union Station, take a taxi to Fairfax (approximately $40 - 50), or take the red line Metro train (towards Shady Grove) to Metro Center station. Then transfer to the orange line to Vienna (approximately $5). From Vienna take the CUE bus to GMU.
Reagan National handles mostly domestic and some Canadian flights. It is located on the Virginia side of the Potomac River, about 15 miles east of Fairfax. The airport has traveler's aid, information desks, and currency exchange open daily. Reagan National is on the Metro line. Take the yellow line to L'Enfant Plaza or the blue line to Roslyn, and transfer to the orange line to Vienna (approximately $4). From Vienna, take the CUE bus to GMU. Alternatively, a taxi from Reagan National to Fairfax is approximately $40.
Top of the page
CUE Bus System
 The Fairfax city's CUE Bus system provides regularly scheduled, low-cost service to George Mason University, providing transportation to shopping centers and other locations within the City of Fairfax; it also serves as a feeder network to the Vienna/Fairfax-GMU Metrorail Station.
GMU students, staff and faculty with a valid ID ride free.
General fare is 75c.
For information on CUE Bus routes and schedules go to http://www.fairfaxva.gov/CUEBus/CUEBus.asp
 The closest Metro stop to GMU's Fairfax campus is Vienna, at the end of the Orange Line.
You will need to purchase a fare card at the station. Rates vary depending on when and
where you travel. A chart at the station will tell you the cost to get to your destination.
You can buy a fare card for the exact amount, or add more money on the card to use several
times. "SmarTrip" cards are permanent, rechargeable fare cards useable on the Metro
and bus lines. From Thursday until Sunday, the Metro trains run until midnight,
and Friday and Saturday nights they run until 3:00 am. For a schedule and the best
routes to get where you want to go, visit: http://www.wmata.com/, or call (202) 637-7000.
Top of the page |
|
